Israel Folau back in Parramatta Eels' sights

Parramatta are having another crack at bringing Israel Folau back to rugby league. And this time they are expecting head office to be a help rather than a hindrance.

Fairfax Media can reveal the Eels are again in discussions to sign the Wallabies sensation just 18 months after their last raid was scuppered due to red tape.

Target: the Eels are again chasing the services of Waratahs scoring machine Israel Folau.

Photo: Getty Images

Folau re-signed last August with the Waratahs and the Australian Rugby Union until the end of 2015 with a view to playing in the World Cup in Great Britain. However, there have been murmurs the former GWS Giant is pining to return to the game in which he made his name.

The Eels almost got their man when Ricky Stuart was at the helm, only for the deal to spectacularly unravel. Folau came onto the open market at late notice following his failed AFL experiment and Parramatta had only limited funds to offer him in the first year of his contract, which would have been heavily back-ended.

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Even when the parties agreed, the ARLC refused to initially register the deal, with then-salary cap auditor Ian Schubert heavily criticised for his handling of the fiasco. While the NRL dithered, the Wallabies snuck under their guard and signed Folau, who has become the most valuable and marketable star in Australian rugby.

However, the blue and golds are likely to have more assistance from the NRL if Folau genuinely wants to return to the 13-man code. To ensure the best players are attracted and retained, the NRL has announced a revolutionary change to the salary cap which allows chief executive Dave Smith the discretion to centrally contract a once-in-a-generation player. Melbourne are hoping former Queensland and Australian fullback Karmichael Hunt, whose contract with the Gold Coast Suns expires at the end of the season, fits that description. There's no doubt that Folau qualifies but it remains to be seen if he will wait until after the World Cup before entertaining other opportunities.

The Eels have little room to move in their salary cap for next year and would need to offload on a number of contracted players – as well as hope for NRL assistance – to make their ambition a reality.

In their favour is the fact that Folau's younger brother, John, is at the club. He recently represented Queensland in the NYC Origin encounter against the Blues and is contracted for next year. Ironically, the salary cap – the second-tier variety – also prevented him from playing first grade for the Eels last year. However, if William Hopoate is required for NSW duty during the Origin series, John Folau is a strong chance of belatedly making his NRL debut.

"I think I'm ready now if I get an opportunity," John Folau said before the recent interstate under-20s fixture.

Asked what advice big brother provided, the Eels three-quarter said: "Just do all the little things right, enjoy the experience and have a bit of fun."

Israel Folau, a friend and former schoolmate of Eels co-captain Jarryd Hayne, left the door ajar for a return to rugby league at some stage during an interview in February.

"I had a fair crack at the time at wanting to come back and obviously a lot of people know in the media, but things didn't work out so the rugby came up," Folau said at the time.

"I'm sure there will be a lot of clubs who will be in talks with my management when the time comes, it depends how I'm feeling during the time. I'm in a good place where I'm enjoying the game. If I'm involved in the World Cup that's huge, so I guess it comes to the time to reassess and see how I'm feeling, but rugby league is definitely on as an option."